AUTOMATED STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL SYSTEM AND CONTROL SYSTEM THEREOF - An automated storage and retrieval system includes a storage space with storage locations defined therein, an automated transport system connected to the storage space and configured to transport store units for storage in the storage locations and retrieval from the storage locations, and a control system disposed for managing throughput performance of the automated storage and retrieval system, the control system being operably coupled to the automated transport system and having more than one separate and distinct control sections each configured for managing throughput performance with respect to a common group of the storage locations, wherein at least one of the control sections manages aspects of throughput performance of the common group independent of another of the control sections.

11-20-2014

20140343714

ROBOTIC INDUCTION IN MATERIALS HANDLING FACILITIES WITH BATCH SINGULATION - Methods and apparatus for robotic induction in materials handling facilities with batch singulation inventory areas are disclosed. A control system directs the one or more robotic devices to transport a particular portable storage unit of a plurality of portable storage units to and from a particular induction station of one or more induction stations. The control system directs induction of one or more single units of items from one or more locations of the portable storage unit, while the particular portable storage unit is located at an induction station, into the conveyance mechanism at the particular induction station. The control system directs picks of batches of heterogeneous items from a separate inventory storage area. The control system directs induction of single units of items from the batches of heterogeneous items picked from the separate inventory storage area into the conveyance mechanism at a batch singulation station.

11-20-2014

20090276081

TARGETED PRODUCT DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A targeted product distribution system is described herein with respect to an exemplary management of product flow through a distribution center. Specifically, the system and method described herein is directed to the management and display of direct and easily-understood instructions, such that average individuals, as well as those with mental disabilities, will be able to contribute equally to the overall process.

11-05-2009

20120185080

MAINTENANCE ACCESS ZONES FOR STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL SYSTEMS - A maintenance access system for a storage and retrieval system having a storage and retrieval space and automated transport vehicles disposed in the space. The system includes at least one maintenance access control unit associated with a portion of the space, at least one barrier in the space and defining a boundary of the portion of the space and configured to substantially prevent the passage of the vehicles past the at least one barrier, and a controller connected to the control unit, the controller being configured to receive a signal from the at least one control unit for isolating the portion of the space associated with the at least one control unit, where the controller in response to the signal closes the at least one barrier isolating the portion of the space and effects the removal from or shutting down of vehicles within the portion of the space.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SORTING ARTICLES BY WAY OF STORAGE REGIONS - An apparatus and a method for sorting articles, in particular flat mail items. The sorting plant has a feed transport path, a lead-away transport path, a plurality of connecting transport paths, a plurality of storage regions, and a sorting plan. Each connecting transport path branches off from the feed transport path and issues into the lead-away transport path. The feed transport path or the lead-away transport path is configured as a storage transport path which contains the storage regions, in the form of a sequence of successive storage regions. The sorting plan assigns a storage region, to each possible feature value of a sorting feature. The sorting plant selects a storage region for each article, using the sorting plan and as a function of the measured feature value. When the sorting plant has selected for a first article a first storage region and for a following second article a second storage region which comes after the first storage region in the sequence, the sorting plant temporarily stores the first article in the first storage region and transports the second article, using the overtaking transport path, past the first article stored in the first storage region to the second storage region.

12-30-2010

20110010005

SYSTEM FOR ASSOCIATING INVENTORY WITH HANDLING EQUIPMENT IN SHIPPING CONTAINER YARD INVENTORY TRANSACTIONS - A system is provided to associate containers with handling equipment (HE) in a container storage facility. In the system an operation detector, such as a twistlock sensor that indicates when a container is picked up or dropped off, is installed on a first HE which is a piece of container handling equipment (CHE) that can lift the container. An event detector, such as a vibration sensor or distance measuring radar, is further installed on a second HE that is a tractor with an attached chassis for receiving and transporting a container. The event detector indicates when a container-operation-related event, such as a container pick up or drop off, occurred on the tractor chassis. The two detectors (operation and event) are used by a processor to associate the container with either the CHE or the tractor. The operation and event detectors can further be used in conjunction with position sensors such as a GPS sensor to accurately determine the position of the tractor and the CHE in a container yard. When the position sensors degrade in performance, an additional motion detector such as a speed sensor can be used to determine the tractor's distance from the CHE to locate an appropriate tractor involved in the operation.

01-13-2011

20100057245

PICKING CART AND PICKING SYSTEM - A picking cart and a picking system capable of improving sorting precision and operating efficiency. The picking cart comprises a plurality of storage shelves at least one of which has a container placed thereon in a drawable manner, a display unit for displaying at least an article to be picked and one of the storage shelves to which the article is to be delivered, a sensor unit for detecting whether or not the container placed thereon has been drawn from each of the storage shelves, and a determination unit for determining whether or not one of the storage shelves from which the container placed thereon has been drawn is identical to the storage shelf displayed on the display unit, based on the detection result of the sensor unit. Before an article is placed in a container, that is, when a container is drawn, it is possible to know whether or not sorting has been carried out just as displayed.

03-04-2010

20130204429

Method and System for Transporting Inventory Items - A system for transporting inventory items includes an inventory holder capable of storing inventory items and a mobile drive unit. The mobile drive unit is capable of moving to a first point with the inventory holder at least one of coupled to and supported by the mobile drive unit. The mobile drive unit is additionally capable of determining a location of the inventory holder and calculating a difference between the location of the inventory holder and the first point. The mobile drive unit is then capable of determining whether the difference is greater than a predetermined tolerance. In response to determining that the difference is greater than the predetermined tolerance, the mobile drive unit is also capable of moving to a second point based on the location of the inventory holder, docking with the inventory holder, and moving the mobile drive unit and the inventory holder to the first point.

08-08-2013

20130304253

Generating a Path for a Mobile Drive Unit - A system for transporting inventory items includes an inventory holder and a mobile drive unit. The inventory holder has a frame with device openings. The mobile drive unit is operable to dock with an inventory holder and undock with an inventory holder. When undocked from an inventory holder, the mobile drive unit is further operable to traverse a path from a first location to a second location. The path passes through at least a first device opening of the inventory holder such that the mobile drive unit passes beneath the inventory holder while moving along the path.

11-14-2013

20160089791

Continuous Updating of Plan for Robotic Object Manipulation Based on Received Sensor Data - Example systems and methods allow for dynamic updating of a plan to move objects using a robotic device. One example method includes determining a virtual environment by one or more processors based on sensor data received from one or more sensors, the virtual environment representing a physical environment containing a plurality of physical objects, developing a plan, based on the virtual environment, to cause a robotic manipulator to move one or more of the physical objects in the physical environment, causing the robotic manipulator to perform a first action according to the plan, receiving updated sensor data from the one or more sensors after the robotic manipulator performs the first action, modifying the virtual environment based on the updated sensor data, determining one or more modifications to the plan based on the modified virtual environment, and causing the robotic manipulator to perform a second action according to the modified plan.

03-31-2016

20150045943

Warehouse Control System With Dynamic Process Control - Systems, methods, devices, and non-transitory processor readable storage media of the various embodiments enable warehouse control system automated processes to be dynamically created and changed by users. In the various embodiments, warehouse control system automated processes may be table based. In an embodiment, a user may download additional automated processes tables to add new automated processes to a warehouse control system. In another embodiment, a user may select the order and/or make-up of tasks forming the sub-processes of an automated process table.

02-12-2015

20110015778

DATA CARTRIDGE AND TAPE LIBRARY INCLUDING FLASH MEMORY - A data storage system for use with a plurality of tape cartridges is provided. Each tape cartridge includes a length of tape media and an amount of flash memory. The data storage system includes a tape cartridge library having a plurality of storage cells. Each storage cell is configured to store a tape cartridge. The tape cartridge library further includes a plurality of tape drives. Each tape drive is configured to access a tape cartridge when the tape cartridge is received in the tape drive. The system further includes a robotic tape mover and a flash memory access mechanism. The robotic tape mover moves tape cartridges between the plurality of storage cells and the plurality of tape drives. The flash memory access mechanism is configured in the tape cartridge library to access the flash memory of a tape cartridge when the tape cartridge is in the tape cartridge library.

01-20-2011

20110098844

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR INVENTORY PLACEMENT ACCORDING TO EXPECTED ITEM PICKING RATES - A method and system for inventory placement according to expected item picking rates. In one embodiment, a method may include determining a respective expected picking rate for each of a number of inventory items, and dependent upon the expected picking rate, selecting a corresponding one of a number of zones of an inventory storage area for each of the items. The zones may be physically arranged within the inventory storage area such that a first, innermost zone is successively and at least partially surrounded by one or more other zones. The method may further include storing each of the items within the corresponding zones, such that the expected picking rates of members of a given group of items stored in a given zone are less than the expected picking rates of members of another group of items stored in a successive zone that at least partially surrounds the given zone.

04-28-2011

20120296467

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PRESORT BREAK SORTING OF MAILPIECES - The present subject matter relates to techniques and equipment for processing mailpieces. The mailpieces have been manufacture on a mailpiece inserter or directly from a printer The manufactured mailpieces are processed on a mail sorter to produce trays of mail that are grouped by zone improvement program. The mailpieces are sorted without a predefined sort scheme loaded on the mail sorter.

11-22-2012

20100042248

MONITORING AND CONTROL SYSTEM FOR COMMODITY LOADING - A system for in-vehicle monitoring and control of commodity loading, such a grain or loose or fluid materials, from a storage bin to a transport bin using a loading system, includes a loading system control device and a user interface device capable of mutual wireless communication. The system improves safety by eliminating the need for operators to crawl up the side of vehicle in order to check levels of commodity in the transport bin, while also trying to move the transport bin as required. The loading system control device includes a logic switching unit for selectively operating the loading system that transfers the commodity from the storage bin; one or more cameras providing visual feeds of the loading of commodity into the transport bin; and a security or safety feature. The user interface device includes a display for displaying the visual feeds and control switches for operating the loading system.

02-18-2010

20110015779

Method and System for Transporting Inventory Items - A system for transporting inventory items includes an inventory holder capable of storing inventory items and a mobile drive unit. The mobile drive unit is capable of moving to a first point with the inventory holder at least one of coupled to and supported by the mobile drive unit. The mobile drive unit is additionally capable of determining a location of the inventory holder and calculating a difference between the location of the inventory holder and the first point. The mobile drive unit is then capable of determining whether the difference is greater than a predetermined tolerance. In response to determining that the difference is greater than the predetermined tolerance, the mobile drive unit is also capable of moving to a second point based on the location of the inventory holder, docking with the inventory holder, and moving the mobile drive unit and the inventory holder to the first point.

01-20-2011

20110015777

MONEY HANDLING SYSTEM - In order to improve a handling efficiency of a deposit operation and a dispense operation as a whole, a money handling system of the present invention includes: a reception unit configured to receive moneys; a recognition unit configured to recognize denominations of the moneys and to count the number of the moneys for each denomination; a storing and feeding unit configured to store and feed the moneys; a dispense unit configured to dispense the moneys such that the moneys can be taken out from outside; a transport unit configured to transport the moneys to the storing and feeding unit or the dispense unit; a storage unit configured to store change information showing the number of the change funds for each denomination; and a control unit configured to control the transport unit such that, based on the change information stored in the storage unit and a recognition result of the recognition unit, the transport unit transports the moneys received by the reception unit to the storing and feeding unit or the dispense unit, and that the transport unit transports the moneys fed by the storing and feeding unit to the dispense unit.

01-20-2011

20130131859

TRANSPORT APPARATUS, TRANSPORT METHOD, TRANSPORT PROGRAM, AND TRANSPORT SYSTEM - A transport apparatus for transporting a sample as an analysis objective in a state of being accommodated in a sample container comprises a judging unit which judges whether or not the sample container is positioned at each of first and second collection positions for collecting the sample from the sample container in order to perform each of first and second analysis processes and which outputs each of judgment results thereof as first and second collection position data; and a sample container identification unit which performs individual identification of the sample container in a transport route for the sample container and which outputs an identification result thereof as individual identification data. Further, it is confirmed whether or not the transport of the sample container to the second collection position is adequate on the basis of the first collection position data, the second collection position data, the individual identification data, and data to indicate a predetermined transport amount calculated in accordance with the first and second collection positions.

05-23-2013

20150323245

INTELLIGENT REFRIGERATOR BASED ON INTERNET OF THINGS AND APPLICATION SYSTEM THEREOF - An intelligent refrigerator based on the Internet of Things and an application system thereof, relating to the technical field of the Internet of Things, and in particular, to the aspect of intelligent refrigerator system module improvement based on the Internet of Things. The intelligent refrigerator comprises a refrigerator main body and a refrigerator control module which is arranged in the refrigerator main body and used for controlling the operation of the refrigerator main body. The refrigerator main body also comprises a central processing system module, the refrigerator control module being in communication connection with the central processing system module through a UART interface. A touch display module for man-machine interaction, and a network communication module for connecting the Internet network are also connected to the central processing system module. The intelligent refrigerator can realize managing the storage information of foods in a refrigerator in a graphical manner.

11-12-2015

20110112682

MEDICINE SELECTION SUPPORT SYSTEM, MEDICINE SELECTION SUPPORT METHOD, MEDICINE DISPENSING DEVICE, AND DUMMY BODY - A medicine selection support system of the invention includes an automatic dispensing device for dispensing a general medicine and a dummy body for a managed medicine based on the pharmacy information, a management terminal for reading medicine information of the managed medicine from the dummy body, and an exchange support section for supporting exchange between the managed medicine and the dummy body from the medicine information read by the terminal. With the automatic dispensing device, a dummy body corresponding to the managed medicine can be dispensed at the same timing as that of a general medicine.

05-12-2011

20110112681

VALUABLE MEDIA HANDLING APPARATUS AND VALUABLE MEDIA HANDLING METHOD - A valuable media handling apparatus and a valuable media handling method can complete depositing operation even when a storing unit for storing valuable media becomes full of media in the course of the depositing operation. the valuable media handling apparatus has a taking-in unit to take valuable media into the apparatus, a storing unit to store the taken-in valuable media, a detecting unit to detect that the storing means is full of the valuable media or is nearly full, a returning unit to return, when the detecting unit detects that the storing nit is full of the valuable media or is nearly full while the taking-in unit is taking in the valuable media, the valuable media that are taken-in after the detection to the outside of the apparatus, an information obtaining unit to obtain the information on the valuable media taken in by the taking-in unit, and an information managing unit to manage the information on the valuable media that were taken-in until the storing unit is full of the valuable media or is nearly full as the determinate information and the information on the valuable media returned by the returning unit as the provisional determinate information.

05-12-2011

20100152883

APPARATUS FOR FURNISHING ARTICLES AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE APPARATUS - An apparatus and a method for controlling an apparatus for furnishing articles is disclosed. A conveyor unit is used to convey the articles. At least one exchangeable furnishing unit is designed to exchange identification data and/or control information during connection to the apparatus with the apparatus and/or with the conveyor unit. At least one storage area is provided, wherein the storage area stores at least two furnishing units. An automatically controlled feeding and withdrawing unit is used to operatively connect the storage area with the apparatus.

06-17-2010

20100241269

Inventory replication based upon order fulfillment rates - A load balancing technology segregates various inventory types (e.g., potatoes vs. milk, vs. pretzels, vs. tissue paper, etc.) based upon how frequently they are ordered in a distribution center. Inventory types that are ordered at the slowest rate are not “replicated” over multiple pods in the distribution center. Rather, they are constrained to reside at a single pod within the distribution center. Items that are ordered somewhat more frequently than those in the slowest group are replicated in multiple pods across the distribution center. In other words, these items are separately stocked at locations on more than one pod in the distribution center. This means that a container passing through the distribution center can obtain each of the items in the second group of item types at multiple pods in the distribution center. Thus, these items do not create a bottleneck in the order fulfillment process. Inventory types in a third group, the fastest movers, are segregated from items in the first two groups. They are stored in a separate type of pod that fulfills orders even faster than the other type of pods.

09-23-2010

20100241268

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DISTRIBUTING OBJECTS ON LOCATIONS - A method, a system and a computer program are provided for distributing objects on locations, in particular, for distributing components and materials to different locations of an assembly line. Controlling data is provided to control a distribution of the objects on object delivering units. A list is generated indicating a sequence, in which the objects have to be located on the object delivering units, depending on the controlling data. The objects are placed on the object delivering units in accordance with the list, and the object delivering units are moved to the locations.

09-23-2010

20100280651

DATA CARTRIDGE AND TAPE LIBRARY INCLUDING FLASH MEMORY - A data storage system for use with a plurality of tape cartridges is provided. Each tape cartridge includes a length of tape media and an amount of flash memory. The data storage system includes a tape cartridge library having a plurality of storage cells. Each storage cell is configured to store a tape cartridge. The tape cartridge library further includes a plurality of tape drives. Each tape drive is configured to access a tape cartridge when the tape cartridge is received in the tape drive. The system further includes a robotic tape mover and a flash memory access mechanism. The robotic tape mover moves tape cartridges between the plurality of storage cells and the plurality of tape drives. The flash memory access mechanism is configured in the tape cartridge library to access the flash memory of a tape cartridge when the tape cartridge is in the tape cartridge library.

11-04-2010

20140277689

Storage System and Methods - Methods of storage and/or retrieval of items from storage racks using carts include electronically determining a size of an item and determining a storage position in a row for the item based on the determined size. The size can be determined by reading indicia on the item and consulting a database to determine a size of the item based on the read indicia. Other methods include electronically determining a characteristic of an item and determining a load movement limit protocol for the item based on the determined characteristic. The protocol may limit velocity or acceleration of movement of the item.

09-18-2014

20140031972

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SORTING OR RETREIVING ITEMS - A method and apparatus are provided for sorting or retrieving items to/from a plurality of destinations areas. The items are loaded onto one of a plurality of independently controlled delivery vehicles. The delivery vehicles follow a track that guides the delivery vehicles to/from the destination areas, which are positioned along the track. Once at the appropriate destination area, an item is transferred between the delivery vehicle and the destination area.

01-30-2014

20140031971

LIFT APPARATUS FOR STABLE PLACEMENT OF COMPONENTS INTO A RACK - A method uses scales onboard a lift apparatus to weigh an uninstalled component that is positioned on the lift apparatus for installation into a rack. Data is accessed that identifies the weight and rack location of components currently installed in the rack, and one or more available rack locations are identified where the component may be installed without violating one or more predetermined rack stability rules. The method then uses the lift apparatus to raise the component into a selected one of the one or more available rack locations. The components are preferably information technology components, such as servers, network switches and power distribution units.

01-30-2014

20100324722

SYSTEM FOR MANAGING INVENTORIES OF REAGENTS - A system for managing the inventory of reagents for a laboratory automation system. The system for managing the inventory of reagents comprises a controller, software for the controller, and a refrigerator capable of refrigerating reagents, detecting the presence or absence of reagents in the refrigerator, and detecting the location of reagents in the refrigerator. The system for managing the inventory of reagents is connected to a laboratory automation system. The laboratory automation system comprises at least one clinical analyzer. A typical system for managing inventories of reagents includes an operator interface for the loading of boxes of reagents and other supplies, radio frequency identification system for identification of inventory and tracking, robotic mechanisms for loading containers onto the track system and removing containers from the track system, de-capping equipment, refrigeration equipment, and information technology connections to laboratory analyzers and vendors.

12-23-2010

20130245810

STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL SYSTEM CASE UNIT DETECTION - An automated storage and retrieval system including a storage structure with storage racks having a seating surface configured to support case units where a position of each case unit is non-deterministic for each storage location on the storage racks, each case unit has a predetermined storage position and a controller is configured to determine the predetermined storage position, a picking aisle configured to provide access to the case units within the storage structure, and a seismic disturbance restorative system including seismic disturbance motions sensors disposed on the storage racks, a seismic disturbance control module in communication with the seismic disturbance sensors and configured to identify a seismic disturbance, and an automated case mapper configured to traverse the picking aisle, the automated case mapper being in communication with and initialized by the seismic disturbance control module to identify a seated position of at least one case unit within the storage structure.

09-19-2013

20100114361

ROBOTIC STORAGE LIBRARY WITH QUEUED MOVE INSTRUCTIONS AND METHOD OF QUEING SUCH INSTRUCTIONS - A robotic tape library which queues two or more move instructions is described. Generally, the robotic system receives a first move instruction which commands a first robot to move a first tape cartridge from a shelf to a first tape drive to be loaded therein. Though the first move has not actually taken place, the library replies to the host computer that the first tape drive has been loaded with the first tape cartridge, at least to an acceptable level of engagement, at which point, the first move instruction is queued. After receiving a second move instruction from the host to move a second tape cartridge from the shelf to a second tape drive, the library reorganizes and physically carries out the move instructions with potentially different hardware in a preferred order.

05-06-2010

20110251717

METHOD FOR PICKING UP WORK PIECES - The method for picking up work pieces includes: storing a representative partial shape, at least one of holding positions in the representative partial shape, and a preference rank for each of the holding positions; obtaining an image information by sensing the work pieces which are accumulated; recognizing exposed portions in the work pieces by performing an edge detection on the image information; selecting at least one of the exposed portions including the representative partial shape as a selected portion; detecting at least one of coinciding portions coinciding with the representative partial shape in the selected portions; determining an optimal holding position from at least one of the holding positions included in the coinciding portion as a determined holding position, based on the preference rank; and transmitting a holding command to hold the determined holding position.

10-13-2011

20110137453

VALUABLE MEDIA MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND VALUABLE MEDIA MANAGEMENT METHOD - A burden of a person in charge is reduced, who uses a valuable media management system including a plurality of valuable media handling machines with different processing functions for valuable media and a control unit provided to correspond to each processing machines. Each control unit has a corresponding machine control function for working a valuable media handling machine that corresponds to the own unit, as well as a non-corresponding machine control function for working a valuable media handling machine that does not correspond to the own unit. One of the corresponding machine control function and the non-corresponding machine control function can be selected.

DIRECT ACCESS DISPENSING SYSTEM - An access and storage system including a storage component configured to store an item therein or thereon in an associated storage position, wherein the storage component is configured to provide a user direct manual access to the item in the storage position. The system further includes a sensor system configured to track at least one of a user's removal of the item from the associated storage position or replacement of the item to the associated storage position. The sensor system operates independently of any sensor component secured to the item.

08-09-2012

20130268112

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ARRANGING ROD-LIKE ELEMENTS - Method and system for arranging rod-like elements, in which an unordered portion of rod-like elements, composed each of at least one part selected from cigarette parts being filter parts and tobacco parts, is delivered to a conveyor enabling arrangement of the elements on the conveyor in a plurality of compartments, longitudinally in each compartment and transversely to the direction of movement of the conveyor. The compartments have a length adapted to receive at least one filter part and at least one tobacco part of a cigarette. The type, number and location of parts of the element received in each compartment is defined by at least a single scanning of each successive compartment of the conveyor. The result of the scanning is transmitted to a control unit and the elements are subsequently sorted based on information received from the control unit.

10-10-2013

20140195040

MANEUVERING A MOBILE DRIVE UNIT - A method of rotating an inventory holder includes moving an inventory holder towards a rotation area along a straight segment of a path with a first face of the inventory holder facing a first direction. The rotation area includes a portion of a workspace designated for rotation of inventory holders. The method further includes moving the inventory holder into the rotation area along a first arced segment with an orientation of the first face perpendicular to the first arced segment. The method additionally includes executing a rotation maneuver within the rotation area and moving the inventory holder out of the rotation area along a second arced segment with a second face facing the first direction.

07-10-2014

20150057792

UNATTENDED FULL-AUTOMATIC BOOK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - Thorough optimization and improvement have been made on the basis of original closed-shelf stack room by the unattended full-automatic book management system of the invention. The concept of a book basket is brought in to process an order of each borrower in a batch. The device is simplified and the efficiency of single functional part is enhanced during the period of storing books, taking books, returning books, conveying a book basket and transmission, thereby the functions of the whole system being optimized. The system includes bookracks, a laneway vehicle, a laneway vehicle interface, a transmission device, a book taking window, and a book returning window, and further includes a book basket and a book box independent of the bookracks. The data information inside the database of the closed-shelf stack room system is administered and operated by the closed-shelf stack room management system to accomplish the interaction between the collection system and the control system of the full-automatic closed-shelf stack room. Ultimately books are administered through the full-automatic closed-shelf stack room.

02-26-2015

20130274912

MULTIMEDIA DRIVE - A multimedia drive receives different types of media in a single drive. The multimedia drive includes a drive to receive a media cartridge, such as a tape media cartridge or a non-tape media cartridge. The multimedia drive includes a tape media interface to connect to a tape cartridge, and includes a non-tape media interface to connect to a non-tape media cartridge.

10-17-2013

20130325168

AUTOMATIC MEDICINE WAREHOUSING AND RELEASING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD OF AUTOMATICALLY WAREHOUSING AND RELEASING MEDICINES THEREOF - Disclosed are an automatic medicine warehousing and releasing management system and a method of automatically warehousing and releasing medicines thereof. Warehoused medicines are arranged at proper positions on a storage shelf, and released medicines are discharged from the storage shelf. The automatic medicine warehousing and releasing management system includes a medicine holding and transferring unit to arrange warehoused medicines on a storage rack by holding and accommodating the warehoused medicines according to holding priorities of the medicines based on sizes and expiration dates of the medicines, and release the medicines by holding and accommodating the medicines on the storage rack according to the holding priorities of the medicines, and a medicine warehousing and releasing control unit connected with the medicine holding and transferring unit to control the arranging of medicines requested for warehousing on the storage rack and the discharging of medicines requested for releasing from the storage rack.

12-05-2013

20140195039

LIBRARY DEVICE AND LIBRARY DEVICE CONTROL METHOD - A control unit refers to a logical library information storage unit in response to a reception of an export process command from an external device, identifies one of the logical library units which is correlated with a physical recording medium in a physical library unit which has been ordered by the export process command to been ejected from an ejection slot, and correlates, in the identified logical library unit, the ejection slot to a logical recording medium which is correlated to the physical recording medium which has been ordered to been ejected.

07-10-2014

20100030370

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING STATUS REPORTING DEVICES FOR CONTAINER HANDLERS - A mechanism and method for making status reporting devices for container handlers, including: providing a micro-controller module, and installing a program system into memory accessed by a computer directing the micro-controller module. The micro-controller module communicatively couples with means for wirelessly communicating and for sensing a state of the container handler. Means for wirelessly communicating may include means for wirelessly determining container handler location. The micro-controller module may be communicatively coupled to a separate means for determining location. An apparatus making the devices may include a second program system directing the invention's method through a second computer, which may control an assembly device in creating the micro-controller, coupled with the means for sensing and for wirelessly communicating.

02-04-2010

20130274913

System and Method for Establishing And/Or Maintaining Proper Alignment of a Robotic Transfer Mechanism - The present invention is directed to a system and method for establishing and/or maintaining proper alignment of a transfer mechanism. More specifically, the present invention is directed to an alignment system and method having one or more of: (a) a laser alignment device operable to providing precise locational coordinates for alignment of a robotic transfer mechanism relative to a holding structure; (b) an alignment tool for aligning a laser alignment device relative to robotic transfer mechanism; (c) lead in ramps to properly guide an individual specimen container into a holding well; and/or (d) a belt tensioning device for maintaining proper tension on one or more timing belts.

10-17-2013

20100004778

OBJECT PICKING DEVICE - An object picking device, which is inexpensive and capable of speedily and accurately picking one object at a time from a random pile state. A target detecting part of an image processing part processes an image captured by a camera and detects objects. A target selecting part selects an object among the detected objects based on a certain rule. A view line direction calculating part calculates the direction of a view line extending to the selected object. A target position estimating part estimates the position including the height of the selected object based on size information of the object in the image. Then, a grip correction calculating part calculates an amount of correction of the movement of a robot so as to grip the object by using the robot.

01-07-2010

20130338818

DEVICE AND METHOD FOR REMOVING TESTED SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS - A device for removing tested semiconductor components from a clamping carrier having fixed stop elements and movable clamping elements, pre-tensioned by spring elements includes an actuation device arranged above the clamping carrier, which moves the clamping elements into an opening position enabling the clamping carrier to be discharged, and then moves the clamping elements into a rest position after discharge, an intermediate carrier, positioned under the clamping carrier during discharge, onto which the clamping carrier is emptied, a data memory in which data about each semiconductor component are stored, and a removal device, which removes the semiconductor components from the intermediate carrier and sorts them into at least two different categories in accordance with the data stored in the data memory.

12-19-2013

20130231773

DYNAMIC ITEM-SPACE ALLOCATION AND RETRIEVAL - Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to staging manufactured items and provide a method, system and computer program product for staging items in a manufacturing environment. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for staging items in a manufacturing environment can be provided. The method can include defining attributes of staging locations in a distribution area of the manufacturing environment, defining a set of staging strategies for use in the distribution area of the manufacturing environment, receiving a manufactured item in the distribution area and obtaining characteristics of the manufactured item, and comparing the obtained characteristics of the manufactured item to the set of staging strategies to select the staging strategy to apply to the manufactured item.

09-05-2013

20130245808

GERMICIDAL TIE RACK - A motorized tie rack that, while providing convenient storage for one's necktie collection, will sanitize the neckties with an ultraviolet light. The rack includes a “clean” button which, when pressed, will rotate the necktie to the rear of the device. There, a shielded ultraviolet light will be activated for several minutes, disinfecting both sides of the necktie.

09-19-2013

20120029683

ROBOTIC PICKING LINE FOR SERIALIZED PRODUCTS - Various embodiments are directed to a system for managing an inventory comprising serialized products. A computer system may receive from an intake sensor a first tray identifier describing a first tray present on an intake transport system. The computer system may also associate the first tray identifier with a first serial identifier of a first product unit present on a product transport system and instructing the product transport system, by the computer system, to transport the first product unit to the first tray. Additionally, the computer system may instruct a robot to place the first tray containing the first product unit at a first bin selected from a plurality of robot-accessible bins.

VARIABLE MEDIUM PROCESSING APPARATUS AND VARIABLE MEDIUM PROCESSING METHOD - A valuable-medium processing apparatus includes a receptacle in which valuable mediums are put; an escrow unit that temporarily holds the valuable mediums; a storage unit that stores therein the valuable mediums; a transporting unit including a holding route in which the valuable mediums put in the receptacle are temporarily held in the escrow unit and then transported to the storage unit, and a non-holding route in which the valuable mediums put in the receptacle are transported to the storage unit without being held in the escrow unit; and a control unit that, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, controls the transporting unit to determine a transporting route by selecting one of the holding route and the non-holding route, and transport the valuable mediums via the determined route.

07-22-2010

20140297024

FINISHER OUTPUT DESTINATIONS - A finisher is to receive output. The finisher includes a plurality of destinations in which to store the output. A controller is to identify an operational history of the plurality of destinations, and direct the output to the plurality of destinations based on the operational history.

Method and System for Transporting Inventory Items - A system for transporting inventory items includes an inventory holder capable of storing inventory items and a mobile drive unit. The mobile drive unit is capable of moving to a first point with the inventory holder at least one of coupled to and supported by the mobile drive unit. The mobile drive unit is additionally capable of determining a location of the inventory holder and calculating a difference between the location of the inventory holder and the first point. The mobile drive unit is then capable of determining whether the difference is greater than a predetermined tolerance. In response to determining that the difference is greater than the predetermined tolerance, the mobile drive unit is also capable of moving to a second point based on the location of the inventory holder, docking with the inventory holder, and moving the mobile drive unit and the inventory holder to the first point.

05-26-2011

20100042247

ROBOTIC STORAGE LIBRARY WITH QUEUED MOVE INSTRUCTIONS AND METHOD OF QUEING SUCH INSTRUCTIONS - A robotic tape library which queues two or more move instructions is described. Generally, the robotic system receives a first move instruction which commands a first robot to move a first tape cartridge from a shelf to a first tape drive to be loaded therein. Though the first move has not actually taken place, the library replies to the host computer that the first tape drive has been loaded with the first tape cartridge, at least to an acceptable level of engagement, at which point, the first move instruction is queued. After receiving a second move instruction from the host to move a second tape cartridge from the shelf to a second tape drive, the library reorganizes and physically carries out the move instructions in a preferred order.

02-18-2010

20120215343

DYNAMIC ITEM-SPACE ALLOCATION AND RETRIEVAL - Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to staging manufactured items and provide a method, system and computer program product for staging items in a manufacturing environment. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for staging items in a manufacturing environment can be provided. The method can include defining attributes of staging locations in a distribution area of the manufacturing environment, defining a set of staging strategies for use in the distribution area of the manufacturing environment, receiving a manufactured item in the distribution area and obtaining characteristics of the manufactured item, and comparing the obtained characteristics of the manufactured item to the set of staging strategies to select the staging strategy to apply to the manufactured item.

08-23-2012

20100161110

LIBRARY APPARATUS AND ROBOT - A library apparatus includes a robot which transports a transportable medium, an objective unit including a light receptor of the objective unit and a light emitter of the objective unit which emits light to the outside of the objective unit when light is received by the light receptor of the objective unit. The robot includes a light emitter of the robot opposite to the light receptor of the objective unit that emits light to the light receptor of the objective unit at the time of positioning of the robot at the objective unit, and a light receptor of the robot opposite to the light emitter of the objective unit that receives light from the light emitter of the objective unit at the time of positioning of the robot at the objective unit.

06-24-2010

20100217432

SHEET HANDLING APPARATUS AND SHEET HANDLING METHOD - A sheet handling apparatus includes a first module arranged along a sheet conveyance route from the upstream to the downstream thereof, and a second module arranged adjacent to the first module, wherein the first module including a take-out part to take out sheets one by one from a bundle of sheets fed into a supply part; a first conveyance route to convey the taken out sheets with the take-out part; a discriminating device to discriminate category of the sheets conveyed along the first conveyance route; and a first control part to transmit destination information and category information of the sheet discriminated by the discriminating device and to execute a conveyance control to the sheet residing along the first conveyance route, and wherein the second module including: a second conveyance route to convey further the sheets conveyed from the first module; a first stacking device to stack the sheet conveyed along the second conveyance route based on the destination information and category information received from the first module in each category; and a second control part to execute a conveyance control to the sheet residing along the second conveyance route, and to transmit information of the number of sheets in each category stacked in the first stacking device, wherein the first control part is configured to execute a cross-check whether the information of the number of sheets in each category received from the second control part matches with the information of the number of sheets transmitted to the second control part or not.

08-26-2010

20120316670

METHOD TO HANDLE PORTABLE CASSETTES REMOVEABLY DISPOSED IN A DATA STORAGE LIBRARY COMPRISING A PASS-THROUGH ACCESSOR - A method is provided to handle portable cassettes removeably disposed in a data storage library, wherein the method supplies a data storage library comprising a plurality of storage slots, and a plurality of portable cassettes removeably disposed a designated storage slot in a first alignment order, and a pass-through accessor comprising a moveable fixturing apparatus to store portable cassettes, wherein the pass-through accessor is moveably disposed in the data storage library. The method positions the pass-through accessor adjacent an open end of a designated storage slot, and sequentially removes and attaches to the fixturing apparatus a plurality of portable cassettes from the designated storage slot. The method then transports the plurality of portable cassettes to a designated location within the data storage library.

12-13-2012

20100179682

PAPER MONEY PROCESSING APPARATUS - A banknote handling apparatus includes general-purpose storages that store therein either a banknote or a cash voucher based on a structure capable of storing therein and feeding therefrom both the banknote and the cash voucher, a depositing/dispensing mechanism that holds both the banknote and the cash voucher so that a user can take out the banknote and the cash voucher, a transport path for transporting both the banknote and the cash voucher from the general-purpose storages to the depositing/dispensing mechanism, and a recognition/determination mechanism that recognizes each type of the banknote and the cash voucher fed from the general-purpose storages.

07-15-2010

20100168903

CASH TRANSPORT APPARATUS - A cash transport apparatus is configured to be externally connected to a note handling apparatus only during a procedure of distribution of notes between said note handling apparatus and said transport apparatus. The transport apparatus comprises a first opening configured to interface with a second opening in said note handling apparatus thereby enabling the distribution of notes between said note handling apparatus and said transport apparatus, a note storage component comprising at least one drum able to rotate in both directions and configured to store notes by at least one layer of film spooled onto said at least one drum, and a power input connector configured to receive electric power from said note handling apparatus and provide the electric power to said note storage component.

MONEY HANDLING MACHINE - A money handling machine of the present invention that includes a storing unit for storing money and that performs depositing processing for transporting and storing supplied money in the storing unit, further includes: limit setting unit that sets a storage limit level for the storing unit; storage limit determination unit that determines, when the money stored in the storing unit reaches the storage limit level set for the storing unit, the limitation of storage; and deposit stopping unit that stops the depositing processing according to a result obtained by determination by the storage limit determination unit. Here, the limit setting unit includes a setting storage portion that stores the storage limit level, and performs the setting based on contents stored in the setting storage portion, and the setting can be changed by varying the stored contents. Thus, a money handling machine is provided that can easily adjust, as appropriate, the storage limit level without need to replace a ROM or the like.

07-01-2010

20140074281

MEDIA MOBILITY UNIT (MMU) AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF - In one embodiment, a media mobility unit includes a media cartridge holding portion configured to simultaneously store multiple media cartridges, a sensing mechanism for sensing at least an approximate location of the holding portion in relation to other objects, a drive mechanism for moving the holding portion from a source media library to a destination media library, and a power source electrically coupled to at least one of the sensing mechanism and the drive mechanism for providing current to the at least one of the drive mechanism and the sensing mechanism. In another embodiment, a method for transporting a media cartridge includes receiving one or more media cartridges from a source media library, storing the one or more media cartridges in a holding portion of a media mobility unit, sensing at least an approximate location of the media mobility unit, and transporting the one or more media cartridges to a destination media library. Additional embodiments are also presented.

03-13-2014

20100114360

ROBOTIC STORAGE LIBRARY WITH QUEUED MOVE INSTRUCTIONS AND METHOD OF QUEING SUCH INSTRUCTIONS - A robotic tape library which queues two or more move instructions is described. Generally, the robotic system receives a first move instruction which commands a first robot to move a first tape cartridge from a shelf to a first tape drive to be loaded therein. Though the first move has not actually taken place, the library replies to the host computer that the first tape drive has been loaded with the first tape cartridge, at least to an acceptable level of engagement, at which point, the first move instruction is queued. After receiving a second move instruction from the host to move a second tape cartridge from the shelf to a second tape drive, the library reorganizes and physically carries out the move instructions with potentially different hardware in a preferred order.

05-06-2010

20150112476

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTEGRAL PLANNING AND CONTROL OF CONTAINER FLOW OPERATIONS IN CONTAINER TERMINALS - A system and method for automatically planning and controlling container flow operations in a large-scale container terminal shipping container transportation and storage terminals such as those at ports is disclosed. The system and method automatically scheduling operations of the container terminal in a holistic manner in multiple different time windows in advance in which operations are scheduled in a far-ahead horizon time window, in a candidate horizon time window, and in an imminent horizon time window.

04-23-2015

20110270438

AUTOMATED WAREHOUSE SYSTEM - An automated warehouse system having an improved cycle efficiency of storing and retrieving articles to and from the automated warehouse system includes a storage station, a retrieval station, a plurality of article storage shelves, a stacker crane, and a system controller. An article is brought to the storage station to be stored and retrieved from the retrieval station. The article storage shelves store articles. The stacker crane can move an article between the storage station, the retrieval station, and the article storage shelves. The system controller keeps track of the amount of storage time articles have been stored and, when it determines that an article has been stored on an article storage shelf in a buffer area for a first predetermined amount of time or longer, the system controller controls the stacker crane such that the stacker crane carries the article from an article storage shelf in the buffer area to an article storage shelf in the first storage area.

Parking facility for motor vehicles and method of operating same - In a method of operating a parking facility for motor vehicles that comprises fixed parking places arranged above each other and each having a guide for a pallet that is displaceable along the guide as well as a lift, which is disposed alongside the fixed parking places and also carries a guide for a pallet displaceable therein, in which method for displacement of a pallet between the guide of a fixed parking place and the guide of the lift the lift is stopped in such a way alongside a fixed parking place that the guides of the fixed parking place and of the lift are aligned with one another, wherein the guide of the lift at its end facing the fixed parking place is supported on a supporting surface connected to the fixed parking place, in order to improve the aligning of the guide in the lift with the guide in the parking place, it is proposed that the guide of the lift after being set down onto the supporting surface is pivoted about a horizontal parking-place-side pivotal axis, which extends transversely of the displacement direction and is defined by the support point of the guide of the lift on the supporting surface, until the guide of the lift is in a horizontal position.

01-21-2010

20100063620

AUTOMATED MATERIAL HANDLING SYSTEM AND METHOD - An automated material handling system for combining over-head conveyer with a material control system is disclosed. First and second virtual stocker codes are respectively assigned to first and second virtual stocker of an over-head conveyer (OHC) using a material control system. A front opening unified pod (FOUP) is moved to and loaded in the first virtual stocker using a transport system controller. The FOUP is loaded in a track of the OHC and assigned a virtual vehicle code. The FOUP is moved, along the track, to the second virtual stocker and loaded in the second virtual stocker, while the virtual vehicle code is being removed, and is removed therefrom using the transport system controller.

03-11-2010

20100179681

DEVICE FOR STORING SUBSTRATES - The invention relates to a device for storing platelike substrates, particularly wafers or test wafers, like those, in particular, used for manufacturing electronic components. The aim of the invention is to make a reliable access to the substrates possible even when storage elements, which can be separated from one another, of the device are affected by manufacturing mistakes. For such a device that, for each substrate, has a number of storage elements, which follow one another in a direction of stacking and which can move relative to one another, in which the storage elements have a stacking area, which is provided for placing the respective storage element inside a stack of storage elements, compensating means are therefore provided in order to compensate for stacking errors in the direction of stacking.

07-15-2010

20140379121

APPARATUS FOR FURNISHING ARTICLES AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE APPARATUS - An apparatus and a method for controlling an apparatus for furnishing articles is disclosed. A conveyor unit is used to convey the articles. At least one exchangeable furnishing unit is designed to exchange identification data and/or control information during connection to the apparatus with the apparatus and/or with the conveyor unit. At least one storage area is provided, wherein the storage area stores at least two furnishing units. An automatically controlled feeding and withdrawing unit is used to operatively connect the storage area with the apparatus.

TELECONTROL ARRANGEMENT, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OBSERVING AND/OR CONTROLLING AN INSTALLATION - A telecontrol arrangement observes and/or controls an installation. The telecontrol arrangement is set up to communicate with field devices of the installation and with a control center arrangement. In order to specify a comparatively flexible telecontrol arrangement which can be adapted to change intended purposes with a smaller amount of effort, provision is made for the telecontrol arrangement to be formed in a data processing cloud.

02-18-2016

20160139591

CONVEYOR SYSTEM FOR CONVEYING OBJECTS AND CONTROL PROCESS FOR SUCH A SYSTEM - A control process for a conveyor system for conveying pallets or other objects comprises at least two mutually separate free-moving, i.e. not rail-mounted, conveyor units. Of the at least two conveyor units, a first conveyor unit is assigned a superordinate status and a second conveyor unit is assigned a subordinate status. The second conveyor unit therefore follows the first conveyor unit. To this end, the second conveyor unit detects a shift in the mutual relative position of the two conveyor units with the aid of a sensor and modifies its driving parameters depending on the shift in position detected by the sensor.

05-19-2016

20160136808

Real-Time Determination of Object Metrics for Trajectory Planning - Example systems and methods may be used to determine a trajectory for moving an object using a robotic device. One example method includes determining a plurality of possible trajectories for moving an object with an end effector of a robotic manipulator based on a plurality of possible object measurements. The method may further include causing the robotic manipulator to pick up the object with the end effector. After causing the robotic manipulator to pick up the object with the end effector, the method may also include receiving sensor data from one or more sensors indicative of one or more measurements of the object. Based on the received sensor data, the method may additionally include selecting a trajectory for moving the object from the plurality of possible trajectories. The method may further include causing the robotic manipulator to move the object through the selected trajectory.

05-19-2016

20140135976

Automated Item Sequencing in a High-Density Grid-Based Material Handling System - Randomly presented physical items can be temporarily stored in a grid-based material handling system, e.g., before they are handled by a robot. The grid-based material handling system arranges the randomly presented physical items within the grid, so that they exit the grid in an ordered sequence, e.g., for pickup by the robot. Programmable modules execute sequencing logic to move the items to target locations within the grid. The modules move interfering items out of the way of other items that are in transit to their target locations, as needed. The programmable modules allow the items to exit the grid when the requirements of a departure policy are met.

05-15-2014

20150353280

ROBOTIC COMMUNICATION WITH FIBER-OPTICS - A system for managing inventory items includes a portable inventory holder and an unmanned drive unit configured to move the inventory holder between locations in an inventory facility. The inventory facility includes a plurality of light emitting elements. The drive unit captures an image of a subset of the light emitting elements. The captured image is processed to determine the location of the drive unit within the facility. A path is determined along which the drive unit moves to an inventory holder and moves the inventory holder to another location. The light emitting elements can be provided by optical fibers embedded in the floor of the inventory facility.

12-10-2015

20150353282

ITEM-DETECTING OVERHEAD SENSOR FOR INVENTORY SYSTEM - Inventory systems may include one or more sensors capable of detecting spatial positioning of inventory holders and associated inventory items. Data can be received from a sensor, a boundary corresponding to a face of the inventory holder can be determined from the data, and items projecting across the boundary can be determined as items protruding from the inventory holder.

PICK-TO-WINDOW - A work station for manually picking of piece goods, including a window conveyor which includes a plurality of optically distinguishable window locations. Each window location includes a defined region of the conveyor which is suitable for receiving a piece good. The conveyor extends through a picking zone and a provision region where different types of piece goods are provided at access locations. At the provision region the order-picking person can grasp piece goods manually from each of the access locations and put same on the conveyor. An order-picking control controls warehouse management and order processing in order to transmit information concerning one of the access locations and a removal quantity to the order-picking person in accordance with an order line of the picking order. A device is provided for allocating an unoccupied window location to one of the order lines based on selection and entry of the order-picking person.

APPARATUS FOR TRANSFERRING SUBSTRATE, SUBSTRATE PROCESSING SYSTEM, METHOD FOR TRANSFERRING SUBSTRATE AND MEMORY MEDIUM - A substrate transfer apparatus includes a substrate transfer device which loads and unloads multiple substrates into and from a cassette capable of accommodating the multiple substrates, a substrate detector device which detects the positions of the substrates in the cassette, and a control device which controls the transfer device. The control device includes a computation component which calculates a shifted amount between a base position and the position of each substrate such that the shifted amount from the base position is set as a positive value, a verification component which verifies whether the difference between the maximum and minimum values among the shifted amounts is equal to or less a threshold value, and a transfer control component which controls the transfer device such that the transfer device unloads the substrates from the cassette when the verification component verifies that the difference is equal to or less than the threshold value.

09-18-2014

20130030563

UNSTACKER DEVICE FOR A MACHINE FOR SORTING FLAT ARTICLES, AND A METHOD OF UNSTACKING FLAT ARTICLES - The invention relates to an unstacker device for unstacking flat articles, said unstacker device including: first detection means for detecting transitions between article types; at least first and second specialized unstacking programs and a default unstacking program, which programs are suitable for maintaining respectively a first nominal gap, a second nominal gap, and a default nominal gap, between two consecutive flat articles; and a monitoring/control unit arranged for automatically executing said default unstacking program in response to detection of said transition, for counting said flat articles subsequent to said transition, and, in response to a predetermined counting threshold being reached, for executing, for said subsequent flat articles and until the next transition detection, the corresponding one of said first and second specialized unstacking programs. The invention also relates to a method of unstacking flat articles using said unstacker device.

01-31-2013

20090312864

High Rack With Stored Goods Selection - A storage rack with a multiplicity of stacked supports for supporting containers transferable by means of an automatic storage/retrieval device, featuring at least one access opening for storage/retrieval of containers and including a computer in which information as to the stored articles is saved, at least one digital camera being provided imaging the articles held in the containers and the digital image information being saved in the computer for display by means of a display means, has in addition assigned to a display means a pointer device by means of which the article to be retrieved is selectable from the digital image information.

12-17-2009

20100082149

METHOD FOR THE MONITORING, CONTROL AND OPTIMIZATION OF FILLING EQUIPMENT FOR FOODS AND BEVERAGES, SUCH AS, FOR BEVERAGE BOTTLES - A method for the monitoring, control and optimization of filling equipment for foods and beverages, such as, for beverage bottles. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

04-01-2010

20150012128

Buffer station for stocker system - A buffer station provides potential improvement for the operation of a facility. By storing to-be accessed workpieces in the buffer stations of an equipment, the operation of the facility is not interrupted when the equipment is down. The workpieces can be retrieved through emergency access port of the buffer station, thus ensure the continuous supply of workpieces for the workpiece flow of the facility. Algorithm for getting the needed workpieces to the buffer station is also provided through a controller or a computer mechanism. The buffer station can be incorporated in a stocker, such as wafer stocked or reticle stocker.

01-08-2015

20130123970

TRANSFER SYSTEM AND CONTROL METHOD OF THE SAME - In a transfer system, a storage data and a specific equipment data indicating a specific equipment are generated. When a transfer command indicates the specific equipment as one of a previous location and a subsequent location, a priority level of the transfer command is increased. A transfer command having a highest priority level is selected. When an available carrier that is not assigned with a transfer command is not accessible within a previous area in which the previous location of the transfer command selected belongs to, when the priority level of the transfer command selected has been increased, and when an alternative carrier that is assigned with the transfer command and is transferring without carrying the cassette is accessible within the previous area, the transfer command selected is assigned to the alternative carrier.

05-16-2013

20130123969

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR BIO-FLUID SAMPLING - A method of sampling includes receiving, by a portable bio-fluid sampling apparatus, a bio-fluid sample on a sample collection receptacle. The bio-fluid sample is associated with a timestamp that is indicative of a time at which the bio-fluid sample is received. The bio-fluid sample is stored in a bio-fluid chamber of the portable bio-fluid sampling apparatus.

05-16-2013

20120041590

BANKNOTE HANDLING APPARATUS - A banknote handling apparatus including a receiving unit that receives banknotes to be counted, a recognition unit that recognizes attributes of the banknotes, a storing unit that stores the banknotes sorted based on a recognition result by the recognition unit, an operation unit for selecting a counting mode and a setting for stacking, and a verification counting process control unit that executes a first counting process when the operation unit selects a verification mode as the counting mode, stores the banknotes in stacking units in a designated first setting for stacking, executes a verification counting process to the banknotes stacked in the first setting for stacking, stores the banknotes in stacking units in a designated second setting for stacking that is different from the first setting for stacking, and determines match/mismatch of the number of banknotes of each denomination in the first counting process and the verification counting process.

02-16-2012

20150032251

EFFICIENT DISTRIBUTION AND SELECTION OF STORAGE MEDIA IN A STORAGE MEDIUM LIBRARY - A location of a first drive in a storage medium library is determined. In response to a determination of the location of the first drive, it is determined whether a first storage medium is located within a first distance from the first drive. In response to a determination that the first storage medium is not located within the first distance from the first drive, it is determined whether the first storage medium is located within a second distance from the first drive. In response to a determination that the first storage medium is located within the first distance or the second distance from the first drive, the first storage medium is made available to be read by or written to by the first drive.

01-29-2015

20130158701

Automated Warehouse and Article Removal Method - A clean stocker includes: a reticle rotatable rack separately storing reticles and a pod; an empty pod rotatable rack; a manual load port supplying to an operator a pod including a reticle; a pod-with-reticle rotatable rack temporarily storing the pod including the reticle; a detecting unit detecting an instruction sent from the operator; a pod opener for, when a first instruction is detected, obtaining (i) a reticle from the reticle rotatable rack and (ii) an empty pod from the empty pod rotatable rack, and placing the obtained reticle into the empty pod; and a pod transporting apparatus (i) putting on the pod-with-reticle rotatable rack the pod including the reticle, and (ii) when a second instruction is detected, transporting the pod including the reticle from the pod-with-reticle rotatable rack to the manual load port.

06-20-2013

20150291400

LOAD HANDLING BY LOAD HANDLING DEVICE - A load is handled by a load handling device comprising gripping means for gripping at least one fastening point of the load, comprising determining, in the gripping means, a distance map within the area of which are described a part of the area of the load to which the gripping means attach and/or on which another load is stacked, as well as surroundings of the load.

10-15-2015

20130261789

SHEET HANDLING APPARATUS AND SHEET HANDLING METHOD - A sheet handling apparatus includes pickup unit which picks up a plurality of sheets loaded in a loading unit, a first determining unit which determines a type or a state of the sheet picked up by the pickup unit, a data collecting unit which collects handling amount data for respective types of the sheets or respective states of the sheets, a second determining unit which determines a distribution destination of the sheet based on the handling amount data for the respective types or the respective states of the sheets which are determined by the first determining unit, a distributing unit which distributes the sheet based on a determination result of the distribution destination of the sheet by the second determining unit, and a stacking unit composed of a plurality of cassettes to stack the distributed sheets.

10-03-2013

20130261788

METHOD, APPARATUS, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR OPTIMIZATION OF ITEM LOCATION IN AN AUTOMATED STORAGE SYSTEM - The present invention generally relates to a method, apparatus, and computer program product for optimizing article or bin location in an automated storage device to increase the efficiency of article retrieval in filling an order. Methods of example embodiments may determine a number of touches of each of a plurality of bins of a storage system, where the touches are calculated over a predetermined period of time, identify a bin with more touches than a bin at a first location, where the bin with more touches is at a second location, and direct the bin with more touches than the bin at the first location to be swapped with the bin at the first location. Identifying a bin with more touches may include identifying a bin with a number of touches that exceeds the number of touches of the bin in the first location by a predetermined amount.

10-03-2013

20130184853

Multi-Franctional Coal Sorter and Method of Use Thereof - Disclosed herein are methods of sorting coal into multiple fractions based upon x-ray absorption and size characteristics in order to remove rocks and other contaminants of various sizes from coal. The use of such dry processing of coal is desirable as it reduces pollution and transportation costs. The multi-fractional sorting of coal is a more efficient manner for identifying and removing rock and contaminants from coal.

07-18-2013

20140142744

DATA STORAGE DRIVE WITH TARGET OF OPPORTUNITY RECOGNITION - A method according to one embodiment includes receiving a command to mount a tape cartridge in a tape drive, mounting the tape cartridge in the tape drive, and determining that at least one special operation can be performed by the tape drive after mounting of the tape cartridge thereby. A first notification that the tape drive is in a not ready state is sent in response to determining the at least one special operation can be performed. The at least one special operation is performed. A second notification that the tape drive is in a ready state or an error state is sent after performing the at least one special operation.

05-22-2014

20140142742

EFFICIENT DISTRIBUTION AND SELECTION OF STORAGE MEDIA IN A STORAGE MEDIUM LIBRARY - An apparatus includes a network interface, a processor and a computer readable storage medium. The processor is coupled with the computer readable storage medium. The computer readable storage medium has computer readable program code embodied therewith. The computer readable program code, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to determine the state of a storage medium library and determine distribution for a plurality of distributable components within the storage medium library based, at least in part, on the state of the storage medium library. The computer readable program code also causes the processor to, responsive to a determination of the distribution for the plurality of distributable components within the storage medium library, issue commands distributing the plurality of distributable components within the storage medium library in accordance with the distribution.

05-22-2014

20140142741

EFFICIENT MOVEMENT OF STORAGE MEDIA IN A STORAGE MEDIA LIBRARY - An apparatus comprises a network interface, a processor and a computer readable storage medium coupled with the processor. The computer readable storage medium includes computer usable program code. The computer usable program code, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to receive a request for a first storage medium located in a first library unit in a storage medium library. The processor is caused to determine that the first storage medium is to be moved by a transportation component. The processor is caused to, responsive to said determination, determine that the transportation component is located in a second library unit. The processor is caused to, responsive to said determination, determine that a second storage medium located in the second library unit can be transported to the first library unit. Responsive to said determination, the processor is caused to transport the second storage medium to the first library unit.

05-22-2014

20130166061

OBJECT GRIPPING APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD FOR OBJECT GRIPPING APPARATUS, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - An object gripping apparatus comprises an imaging unit configured to capture an image of a plurality of workpieces; a workpiece state estimation unit configured to estimate positions and orientations of the plurality of workpieces from the captured image; a pickup-target workpiece selection unit configured to select a pickup-target workpiece from among the plurality of workpieces based on a result of the estimation of the workpiece state estimation unit; a workpiece pickup unit configured to grip and pick up the pickup-target workpiece in accordance with an operation path associated with a position of the pickup-target workpiece; and a path setting unit configured to determine an evacuation path along which the workpiece pickup unit that has gripped the pickup-target workpiece evacuates to the outside of an imaging range of the imaging unit based on an estimated moving time required for the evacuation.

06-27-2013

20130166060

SYSTEM AND METHOD OF COORDINATING ELECTRONIC PARCEL LOCKER AVAILABILITY - A system, apparatus, and method for use in delivery of items to a storage unit. The storage unit may include one or several storage receptacles and a control unit that controls and monitors the status of the one or several storage receptacles. The storage unit may be included in a storage unit system that may include one or several storage units and a central control unit. The central control unit may communicate with the one or several storage units, and may receive status and availability updates from the one or several storage units.

06-27-2013

20120150339

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PORTIONING OF ARTICLE - A method is provided for allocating a first item from a group of items to a receiver selected from a group of receivers. The method includes obtaining characteristic property information for the group of items and obtaining capacity information for the group of receivers. According to the method, a characteristic property of the first item which is to be allocated and a characteristic property of a selected second item within the group of items are used in consideration of possible options for allocating said first and second items to the group of receivers. Taking into account the respective capacities of receivers in the group of receivers, it is then determined which receiver should be selected for allocation of the first item thereto.

Substrate Processing Apparatus, Substrate Processing Method and Storage Medium - Disclosed is a substrate processing apparatus in which a target substrate is taken out from a slot of a cassette having a plurality of slots and processed. The substrate processing apparatus includes a substrate processing unit that processes the target substrate, a transfer unit that transfers the target substrate from the cassette to the substrate processing unit and transfers the target substrate processed in the substrate processing unit from the substrate processing unit to the cassette, and a confirming unit that determines whether or not the slot is empty. The substrate processing apparatus further includes a control unit that reads the slot designated to the target substrate and makes the confirming unit to determine whether or not the slot is empty, after the target substrate has been processed in the substrate processing unit but before the target substrate is disposed in the cassette.

03-15-2012

20140343715

METHOD FOR NEED-BASED ORDER-PICKING OF MEDICINE PORTIONS IN DISPENSING PACKS - In a method for need-based order-picking of medicine portions, several medicine portions of a defined type are firstly identified in several blister packs of different dimensions having receiving chambers and are placed in an automated storage facility. Data identifying the blister packs are saved in association with designations of their storage locations. A dispensing pack is then made ready at an automatic filling station and is filled as needed. Finally, the filled dispensing pack is placed in the same or another automated storage facility, if the dispensing pack is not yet intended to be distributed.

AUTOMATIC CONTAINER ORIENTATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS - According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of automatic container orientation systems. Also disclosed are methods for automatically orienting containers. In an exemplary embodiment, a system for automatically orienting containers generally includes one or more cameras, a controller, and an orientation unit. The one or more cameras are configured to obtain data relating to an orientation of at least one container to be included in a package. The controller is in communication with the one or more cameras for receiving the data and is configured to use the data to determine an amount of rotation needed for the at least one container to orient the at least one container in a desired final orientation. The orientation unit is configured to rotate the at least one container by the determined amount of rotation to thereby orient the at least one container in the desired final orientation.

06-05-2014

20130310967

INVENTORY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - The present disclosure provides an inventory management system that offers significant improvement over existing systems by automating requests to restock inventory. The present disclosure details an inventory management system that provides real time visibility to stock levels and streamlines materials management activities, while addressing the issues of human resource misallocations, inaccurate inventory data management and related out of stock conditions. Moreover, the system of the present disclosure promotes a high level of confidence in inventory data that enables on-hand inventory levels to be reduced, thereby reducing costs and waste.

11-21-2013

20120004761

Depository Unit With User Interaction - A depository unit with user interaction is described. In one example, the depository unit operates by receiving data entered by a user, checking the data for satisfaction of an entry condition, allowing access to a drop chute of a secured storage receptacle if the data satisfies the entry condition, determining whether an item is deposited in the drop chute, and providing a reward to the user if an item has been deposited in the drop chute.

01-05-2012

20160104141

SYSTEM FOR AN AUTOMATED DISPENSING AND RETRIEVAL KIOSK FOR RECORDED MEDIA - A system for an automated dispensing and retrieval kiosk for recorded media includes a kiosk having a plurality of vertical racks arranged in a circular formation, each vertical rack configured for storing a plurality of recorded media. A customer interface allows a customer to select or return a recorded media. A robotic element delivers the selected recorded media from the vertical racks to a media output, at the customer interface. The element also delivers a returned recorded media from a media input at the customer interface to the vertical racks. A computer controls operation of the kiosk, and an internet interface connects the kiosk to the Internet. The kiosk may communicate with a central server and/or other kiosks of a group, to locate a requested recorded media within a kiosk of the group. Once located within the group, the requested media may be reserved for customer pick-up.

04-14-2016

20110301744

TRANSFER APPARATUS - A transfer apparatus includes a container that contains workpieces to be transferred, a sensor that detects a position and a posture of the workpiece existing in a predetermined detection area, and a robot that takes out the workpiece and transfers the workpiece to a transfer destination on the basis of a detection result of the sensor. The sensor includes an area storage that stores a plurality of detection areas, a condition storage that stores a switching condition for switching the detection areas, and a controller that switches the detection areas in a predetermined order when the switching condition is satisfied.

12-08-2011

20160101936

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PICKING VALIDATION - A system and a method for validating items gathered (i.e., picked) as part of a logistics process are disclosed. The picking system uses one or more sensors to sense the physical attributes of an item (e.g., weight, color, size/shape, etc.). The sensed-physical attributes are compared to expected-physical attributes stored for the item. Based on the comparison, a user may receive feedback confirming or rejecting the picked item. In some embodiments, the picking system uses the collected physical data to improve, or add to, the expected-physical attributes. The picking system may also be integrated with a powered-industrial vehicle and/or a warehouse management system to improve usability and effectiveness.

INSTALLATION/REMOVAL DEVICE, DISPLAY CHANGE DEVICE, AND DOSING SYSTEM - A display change device is formed by connecting and thereby integrating an installation/removal device and a card display change device together. The card installation/removal device is configured to have at a back side thereof a pressure reception wall, at a further back side of which a position adjustment mechanism part is provided. The position adjustment mechanism part is configured to include a seat member, a moving part, and a drive part. The position adjustment mechanism part is configured to strike and move the card installation/removal device by an eccentric cam. The position adjustment mechanism part moves the eccentric cam far from the pressure reception wall under the condition that a reaction force Fr received by the eccentric cam becomes larger than a force Fa for pulling the moving part toward the pressure reception wall side.

04-19-2012

20120095591

Modified Radix Sort System - System, methods, and computer-readable media. A method performed by a mail sorter includes receiving a plurality of mailpieces in an input of the sorter. The method includes performing a buffered sort process by transporting the mailpieces along a plurality of transport lanes, each transport lane having an output tray and a buffer, from the input to respective buffers and output trays on the transport lanes, but not transporting mailpieces from the input to an output tray on a selected transport lane. The method includes transporting mailpieces from the buffer to the output tray on the selected transport lane during the buffered sort process. The method includes selecting a new selected transport lane of the plurality of transport lanes. The method includes repeating the buffered sort process and the transporting mailpieces from the buffer to the output tray on the selected transport lane.

04-19-2012

20140379120

VERTICAL MEDICATION STORAGE SYSTEM - Storage systems for inventory control are disclosed. The storage systems include a vertical storage structure having a plurality of vertically-stacked pockets. Each vertically-stacked pocket can be configured to be separately openable for providing user access to contents of the vertically-stacked pocket. The vertical storage structure can be a vertical sliding-type door, a hinged-type door, or a wall-mounted cabinet.

12-25-2014

20140358275

SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR MAGNETICALLY SUPPORTING AN OBJECT ON A SUPPORT - A support system includes a support, a root magnet, an object, and a cover magnet. The root magnet is fixedly attached to the support. The cover magnet is fixedly attached to the object. The root magnet and the cover magnet are configured to be magnetically attracted to one another such that the object is magnetically attached to the support when the root magnet and the cover magnet are aligned with one another in an attachment arrangement. The root magnet and the cover magnet are configured to magnetically repel one another such that the object is detached from the support when the root magnet and the cover magnet are unaligned with one another in a detachment arrangement.

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR STABILIZING DRY-BASED DENSITY OF WOOD CHIPS TO BE FED TO A CHIP REFINING PROCESS - A method and system for stabilizing dry-based density of wood chips from several sources feeding a chip processing stage upstream of a chip refining process, perform on-line estimation of a set of wood chip properties characterizing the wood chips, including light reflection-related property, moisture content and dry-based density, which are used by a reference model capable of comparing the estimated dry-based density with a predetermined target to produce error data, and selectively modifying discharge rate set points of one or more of the wood chip sources to minimize the error data within fluctuation limits around the target. The discharge rate of the wood chip sources is controlled in accordance with the set points to substantially stabilize the dry-based density of the wood chips.

10-27-2011

20100063621

ARTICLE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - An apparatus for controlling secure access and storage of at least two different types of articles is disclosed. The apparatus includes a plurality of compartments for articles, the compartments arranged in a rotatable cylindrical array with one opening for each compartment on the surface of the cylinder. A linearly driven belt having an access port thereon limits access to a single compartment. The compartments may be of equal or different size to accept different articles. A sliding door, positionable over an opening in the housing, provides additional security. A drawer with additional compartments may be included in the apparatus in addition to the cylindrical array. Certain compartments may have an assignment linking them to other compartments in the cylindrical array or drawer, allowing for the secure and separate storage of sets of related articles, such as the keys, registration and/or license plate of a car. Access to stored articles is achieved through a touch screen user interface, an OCR document reader or scanner, a biometric reader device, or any combination thereof. The apparatus provides easier and quicker access to stored articles, especially sets of stored articles.

03-11-2010

20160060032

WAREHOUSE REORGANIZATION METHOD AND THE COMPUTER PROGRAM THEREOF - A method for warehouse reorganization includes determining, by a warehouse management device, an item to be relocated; retrieving, by the warehouse management device, a plurality of load cells on which the determined item is loaded and to which a merge task has not been applied; and generating, by the warehouse management device, a merge task of merging a reference load cell having the highest loading rate among the plurality of load cells with a target load cell having the lowest loading rate among the plurality of load cells.

03-03-2016

20140142743

EFFICIENT DISTRIBUTION AND SELECTION OF STORAGE MEDIA IN A STORAGE MEDIUM LIBRARY - A method includes determining a distribution for a plurality of distributable components within a storage medium library. It is determined that the plurality of distributable components are not currently distributed across the storage medium library in accordance with the distribution. In response to determining the distribution for the plurality of distributable components and to determining that the plurality of distributable components are not currently distributed across the storage medium library in accordance with the distribution, a set of one or more commands to move one or more of the plurality of distributable components to different locations of the storage medium library in accordance with the distribution are issued.

05-22-2014

20140107833

PICKING AND ASSORTING SYSTEM - In a picking and assorting system, a control unit makes, based on a volume of buckets, a picking schedule for one batch to be picked from article racks into the buckets. If there are articles that have been loaded into the buckets based on the picking schedule for one batch but remain in trays after sorting, then a warehouse control unit causes carriers to move work-in-progress trays from work shelves to a third tray storage space.

04-17-2014

20140114466

AUTOMATIC STACKED STORAGE SYSTEM FOR PARKING OR STORAGE - An automatic stacked parking or storage system includes a plurality of stationary docking cells, a plurality of carriages, and a central management system communicating with and controlling operations of the docking cells. Each docking cell has a ground driving device affixed on the bottom of the docking cell to drive a carriage horizontally in different directions of the docking cell, a docking cell control and interface unit (CIU), and one or more carriage position and ID sensor. A loaded carriage is moved horizontally by the ground driving devices of corresponding docking cells from a starting to a destination docking cell according to a route selected by a route optimization module. The location of the loaded carriage in the selected route is dynamically updated according to real time reports from each CIU of the corresponding docking cells. The system transports multiple loaded carriages at the same time for parking/storage and retrieval.

04-24-2014

20140058554

Automated Laundry Drop-Off and Retrieval System - A storage unit for the drop-off, delivery, and pick-up of personal garments includes a plurality of apparel totes, each sized to enclose a plurality of apparel items on hangers, each including a machine-readable medium carrying a tote identifier code, and each configured with an access panel to allow deposit and retrieval of apparel items on hangers. A multi-layer conveyor system selectively moves apparel totes to and from a pre-defined customer access position and to and from a plurality of storage positions on each of at least two horizontal storage layers.

02-27-2014

20120303154

RETAIL LOCATION ROBOTIC WALL SYSTEM - A robotic retail wall is presented allowing for the dispensing of merchandise within a retail location. The robotic wall includes commodity products and robotics that pick and deliver products to consumers in response to input at a kiosk. The robotics and products are separated from a retail space by a transparent barrier, allowing consumers in the retail space to view the actions of the robotics in retrieving a product. Behind the robotic wall is a product stocking area, where commodity products can be added to the robotic wall with assistance from the robotics.

11-29-2012

20110218669

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM - An image forming apparatus includes: a plurality of paper supplying trays; an image forming unit; and a cover. The image forming apparatus further includes a cover opening/closing detecting unit that detects an operation for opening/closing the cover; a paper supplying tray opening/closing detecting unit that detects an operation for opening/closing the paper supplying tray; a paper jam detecting unit that detects a paper jam in at least one place in a paper transporting path; a paper jam release deciding unit that decides whether the paper jam in the detecting place is released or not after the confirmation of a detection; and a completion control unit that controls to complete a paper jam processing based on the decision that the paper jam in all of the places in the paper transporting path is released through the paper jam release deciding unit.

09-08-2011

20130238115

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPTIMIZING UTILIZATION OF INVENTORY SPACE FOR DISPENSABLE ARTICLES - A system and method for optimizing the utilization of inventory space for articles dispensable from an article dispensing machine is provided. A subset of articles in the article dispensing machine may be targeted for removal for various purposes. Based on a list of the subset of articles, the article dispensing machine may move the subset of articles from a storage unit to a predetermined area, such as a merchandising zone of the storage unit or a separate article removal bin. The subset of articles may be removed from the predetermined area, followed by loading of new articles to the predetermined area.

09-12-2013

20110130866

Method and System for Transporting Inventory Items - A system for transporting inventory items includes an inventory holder capable of storing inventory items and a mobile drive unit. The mobile drive unit is capable of moving to a first point with the inventory holder at least one of coupled to and supported by the mobile drive unit. The mobile drive unit is additionally capable of determining a location of the inventory holder and calculating a difference between the location of the inventory holder and the first point. The mobile drive unit is then capable of determining whether the difference is greater than a predetermined tolerance. In response to determining that the difference is greater than the predetermined tolerance, the mobile drive unit is also capable of moving to a second point based on the location of the inventory holder, docking with the inventory holder, and moving the mobile drive unit and the inventory holder to the first point.

06-02-2011

20110238205

MOBILE ROBOT AND METHOD FOR OBJECT FETCHING - A robot for lifting an object, including systems and methods, are herein described. One embodiment comprises a robot is disclosed having a generally planar receiving surface for receiving and holding an object. The receiving surface is lowered and raised using a vertical movement mechanism. To move the receiving surface to an appropriate location, the receiving surface and the vertical movement mechanism are connected to a mobile platform. In some exemplary embodiments, the robot can also have a sweeping mechanism to sweep an object onto at least a portion of the receiving surface. The sweeping mechanism can take various forms but in one exemplary embodiment, the sweeping mechanism is an “L”-shaped arm pivotably connected to the robot, preferably the receiving surface.

09-29-2011

20110153058

MULTIMEDIA STORAGE DEVICE - A method, system and apparatus for housing data storage devices. The method, system and apparatus can include an enclosure for receiving, sorting, storing and retrieving data storage devices. Additionally, the method, system and apparatus can include an interface and display that allow for the manipulation of data storage devices.

06-23-2011

20110160896

DISPENSARY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD - A dispensary management system includes a medicine compounding management unit for managing medicine compounding information and for automatically compounding medicines according to the medicine compounding information and a medicine storage management unit connected to the medicine compounding management for storing residual medicines and, when medicines in the medicine compounding management unit are insufficient, for informing the medicine compounding management unit of a position where medicines corresponding to insufficient medicines are stored. A dispensary management method includes inputting medicine compounding information, determining whether medicines are insufficient based on the medicine compounding information, retrieving a cabinet storing medicines corresponding to the insufficient medicines, filling the insufficient medicines, and compounding medicines according to the medicine compounding information.

06-30-2011

20110178630

PORTABLE ASSET DISPENSING DEVICE - A portable dispensing device is provided having a container configured to be moved to a plurality of locations. An access point at an opening of the container controls access into and out of the container. A scale is coupled to a bin within the container and is configured to measure a weight of the bin and contents of the bin. A computing device is in electrical communication with the access point and the scale and configured to allow or deny access to the container as well as receive the measured weight from the scale to determine a number of items in the bin. The computing device further associates an item removed from the bin with the individual or credits an item returned to the bin with the individual when the individual exits the container.

07-21-2011

20090093906

POSITION SENSOR SYSTEM FOR SUBSTRATE TRANSFER ROBOT - A substrate processing apparatus comprises a substrate handling chamber, a pair of position sensors, and a substrate transfer robot. Each of the sensors comprises an emitter configured to emit a beam of light, and a receiver configured to receive the light beam. The substrate transfer robot comprises an end effector and a robot actuator. The end effector is configured to hold a substrate such that the substrate has a same expected position with respect to the end effector every time the substrate is held. The robot actuator is configured to move the end effector within the handling chamber to transfer substrates among a plurality of substrate stations. An edge of a substrate held in the expected position by the end effector can partially block a light beam of one of the position sensors, while another end of the end effector partially blocks a light beam of the other position sensor.

BURST COMMUNICATIONS FOR AN AUTOMATED DATA STORAGE LIBRARY - An automated data storage library with storage shelves, data storage drive(s), a bus bar; and a robot accessor with a drive system for moving the robot accessor, an accessor communication interface, a bus bar relay configured to engage and disengage the bus bar; and a robot control configured to operate the drive system to move the robot accessor, to operate a picker, and to operate the bus bar relay to engage the bus bar when the robot accessor is stationary, to provide communication capability with a library communication interface via the bus bar relay and the bus bar when the bus bar relay engages the bus bar. Additionally, a second communication system may be provided between the robot accessor and the automated data storage library, which is operable at least when the robot accessor is moving.

06-11-2009

20090062956

METHOD AND STRUCTURE FOR AUTOMATED INERT GAS CHARGING IN A RETICLE STOCKER - At least a first reticle is stored in a housing of a stocker. A first gas is delivered to the housing. At least one reticle pod having an additional reticle is delivered into a enclosure within the housing of the stocker. A second gas different from the first gas is delivered to the enclosure. The reticle pod is automatically retrieved from the enclosure. The delivery and retrieval of the reticle pod and delivery of the first gas and the second gas are automatically controlled.

03-05-2009

20090240369

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RANDOMIZED RECORD STORAGE USING BIDIRECTIONAL SHIFTING - Method and apparatus for randomized record storage using bidirectional shifting wherein a printer is coupled to a conveyor system housed in a temporary storage bin. The conveyor system shifts in a bidirectional fashion to randomize the order of the printouts temporarily stored in the temporary storage bin and prevent the storage of sequentially generated printouts in a storage tray.

09-24-2009

20090112358

SYSTEM AND PROGRAM FOR VIRTUALIZATION OF DATA STORAGE LIBRARY ADDRESSES - Disclosed is a system and program for using storage slots efficiently. A storage element count is assigned to each one of multiple logical libraries, and the sum of the storage element count for each one of the multiple logical libraries exceeds the total number of storage slots in the library.

04-30-2009

20090118859

Ocean Fertilization Project Identification and Inventorying - Systems and methods for coordinating ocean fertilization efforts and inventorying carbon storage unit segments in ocean fertilization projects are disclosed. The system and methods can be used to segment and identify units of carbon sequestered for storage with additional information associated with the projects. The system and methods inventory carbon storage unit segments, segment the project into single carbon unit segments, associate an identifier with each segment, and index the identified segments and associated information. The system can be implemented via a computer system.

05-07-2009

20090082902

Warehouse Management System Based on Pick Velocity - A method and system are disclosed for determining the locations of parts in a warehouse. The method comprises the step of generating for each part an associated designator having first and second components, including the steps of, for each of the parts, (i) determining the first component of the associated designator based on physical dimensions of the part, and (ii) determining the second component of the associated designator based on a pick velocity of the part. These designators are used to identify locations in the warehouse for the parts. In a preferred embodiment, the first components of the designators are used to determine the distances of the identified locations for the parts from an entrance/exit of the warehouse, and the second components of the designators are used to determine the heights of the identified locations for the parts in the warehouse.

03-26-2009

20090076646

Intelligent Shelving System and Dividing Element - An intelligent shelving system and associated dividing element. One or more dividing elements are arranged to communicate with a controller, each of the one or more dividing elements including an antenna having a detection plane and a base for placement on a shelf. The detection plane of the antenna is configured so as to be substantially parallel to the base. Each of the one or more dividing elements is arranged to identify electronically tagged items falling within the detection plane of its respective antenna and communicate data on said identified items to the controller.

03-19-2009

20090216365

MEDIA DEPOSIT APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME - Provided is a media deposit apparatus including: a deposit transfer portion providing a deposit circulation path of media deposited via a media deposit portion; a temporary transfer portion providing a temporary circulation path that contacts with the deposit circulation path to transfer the media to a temporary stack portion, and including a temporary stack gate, provided between the deposit circulation path and the temporary circulation path, to selectively convert a path of media to the temporary circulation path; and a media transfer portion providing a media transfer path that contacts with the temporary circulation path to transfer the media to a media storage portion, and including a media storage gate, provided between the temporary circulation path and the media transfer path, to selectively convert the path of media to the media transfer path. Accordingly, it is possible to simplify a media transfer structure and to enhance a media transfer efficiency.

08-27-2009

20090216364

Systems and Methods for Efficiently Determining Item Slot Assignments - Techniques are described for assigning an item to a slot in an item storage facility, such as a warehouse or a distribution center. A plurality of scores are determined, each score associated with an item and slot pair, the slot chosen from a plurality of slots and each score representing a degree of conformity of the item to a desired sequence of item and slot pairs, wherein the degree of conformity is measured in a simulated pairing of the item with the slot chosen from the plurality of slots in a sequence of other item and slot pairs and a different slot is chosen from the plurality of slots for each simulated pairing with the item. The item is physically assigned to a best slot associated with a highest score among the plurality of scores.

08-27-2009

20080288104

System and Method for Controlling and Managing an Automated Vehicle Parking Garage - An automated parking system and method for controlling a parking garage employ a distributed control system to control the transport of a vehicle between an entry/exit station and a parking space. The distributed control system employs an independent controller (PLC) for each mechanical element, such as elevators and shuttle cars. The PLCs are interconnected by a network and coordinate with each other to control the operation of the automated parking system. An operator panel including a touchscreen display may be used by an operator to control directly the operation of a particular PLC and its associated mechanical element. A central management computer is used to coordinate the overall operation and management of the distributed control system and to provide enhanced features including redundant safety checks.

AUTOMATED STORAGE SYSTEM - An automated storage system comprises a plurality of storage locations, at least one access location, a plurality of storage containers provided on the storage locations, a control system and at least one user interface, the control system further comprising a retrieval mode and a storage mode, and a delivery system for delivering a storage container from a storage location to an access location during the retrieval mode, and for returning the storage container to a storage location during the storage mode. User instructions at the control interface initiate the retrieval mode and the storage mode, and a user is provided access to the retrieved storage container while it is located at the access location.

08-28-2008

20160144507

OPERATION COMMAND GENERATION DEVICE, OPERATION COMMAND GENERATION METHOD, NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM, AND PROCESS SYSTEM - Provided is an operation command generation device configured to generate an operation command, which is a collection of jobs to be carried out by a process system including a robot based on a protocol chart including a process symbol representing a process to be carried out on a container containing a process subject, the operation command generation device including: a process job generation unit configured to generate, based on the process symbol, a job for causing the process system to carry out the process on the container at a work area; and a transfer job generation unit configured to generate, when the process represented by the process symbol is not a process to be carried out on the same container, a job to transfer the container from the work area to a retreat area after the process represented by the process symbol has been carried out.